Georgia Bulldogs (12-0) – A no-brainer pick, given Georgia’s schedule. They will skate to Atlanta undefeated.
Tennessee Vols (10-2)– I’m not sure Tennessee is the SEC’s fourth-best team, but other than Georgia, the only possible loss to an East team is on the road against Florida. Texas A&M in Knoxville could give the Vols a third loss.
Florida Gators (6-6) – Brad Crawford’s rankings for 247Sports have the Gators as the SEC’s 13th-best team. Maybe so because transfer QB Graham Mertz may find the SEC a tougher track than the Big Ten. But in late winter Athlon’s Steve Lassan projected Florida’s roster as tied for the 11th-best in the FBS. The biggest problem for the Gators is a schedule including Utah, Tennessee, Georgia, LSU and FSU.
Kentucky Wildcats (6-6) – I will not be shocked if the Cats win seven or even eight games. There are certainly less likely to slump to 5-7 than the Gators.
South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6) – Predicting a slide for South Carolina from 2022’s regular season record of 8-4 is because of the schedule. South Carolina has Georgia, Tennessee and Texas A&M on the road. Losses to UNC and Clemson appear probable. Winning all the others equals 7-5 and requires beating Kentucky at home and Missouri on the road.
Vanderbilt Commodores (3-9) – My take is an improving Vandy team wins two easy ones early and beats Missouri for an SEC win. Possible but not probable wins could come in upsets against Wake Forest and Auburn.
Missouri Tigers (3-9) – A three-win season would be the last in Columbia for Eli Drinkwitz. It is possible a ‘not really bad’ Missouri team will win five games, but they don’t play Auburn or Mississippi State, so I don’t see the Tigers reaching their six-win total from last season.
